Era Polymers Corporation, an Australian manufacturer, also located in New Zealand, specializing in polyurethane chemistry, will open its first industrial facility in the United States, creating 20 new jobs in Gaston County, North Carolina. The company plans to create 20 new jobs in the town of Stanley, investing $9.2 million. The company, with headquarters in Sydney, Australia, produces a diverse line of polyurethane products and has a worldwide distribution network. The new manufacturing operation in Stanley, the first American plant for the company, will join four other production facilities operated by the company in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.…

29 Nov: 1029 | The Commerce Commission has received a clearance application from Fletcher Building Limited (Fletcher Building) to acquire all the assets and employees of Waikato Aggregates Limited (Waikato Aggregates), including the right to extract and process sand from the Tamahere quarry. However, Waikato Aggregates will maintain ownership of the underlying land of the quarry.

Synlait Milk’s (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) Annual Meeting of Shareholders today celebrated the near doubling of profit in the company’s tenth year of operations. Synlait also used the opportunity to shape the next ten years by launching a new corporate brand identity and purpose statement.

Only 29% of New Zealand employees surveyed by the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE), in association with Victoria University of Wellington, say their organisation has a comprehensive ethics programme, while 10% say their organisation has none at all.

28 Nov: 0923 | The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce supports the recently announced changes to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, but chief executive Leeann Watson says there are still some areas of concern that need to be addressed.

27 Nov: 1220 | There appears to have been a trickle down effect for RCR New Zealand with unconfirmed reports through that cutbacks have been announced earlier today at at least one of their regional offices.

The Fonterra Shareholders’ Council has confirmed that a second election for the remaining vacancy on Fonterra’s Board of Directors will be held in December. Voting will open on 3 December and close at 1.00pm on 20 December, and the results will be announced later the same day.

27 Nov: 0825 | New Immigration changes for international students have come into effect from today (November 26th). One of major changes is that migrant workers who are currently holding an employer assisted visa (a visa which binds the workers to a particular employer and to a particular location of work) will be able to apply for an open work visa.

“The new Housing and Urban Development Authority (HUDA) will help the Government cut through red-tape to deliver urban regeneration in our largest cities, but to deliver affordable housing the Government must now turn its attention to greenfield development and wider policy reform,” says Stephen Selwood Chief Executive of Infrastructure New Zealand.

LGNZ welcomes the establishment of the Housing and Urban Development Authority, noting that housing affordability is a wicked problem for New Zealand that can only be tackled through a partnership between central and local government.

Leading food and solutions company Alliance Group today announced an operating result of $8 million for the year ending 30 September 2018 on the back of a substantial lift in payments to farmer shareholders.

Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Hon Kris Faafoi today released an issues paper marking the first stage of public consultation on changes to the Copyright Act 1994, saying all Kiwis should consider taking part.

The New Zealand workers who make carpets for commercial and residential use at what’s touted as one of the top carpet manufacturers in the world have reached a stalemate with the company over wages and overtime.

23 Nov: 0821 | If the Government manages to push through the recommendations of the Tax Working Group (TWG), the 450,000 or so small business owners in this country will be hit with massive compliance costs writes Troy Browker for Stuff.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is calling on the New Zealand bus company Go Bus to unconditionally end its lockout of bus drivers for exercising their right to take action to demand a living wage. The drivers had voted to stop taking fare money from passengers to show that they cannot continue to live on such low wages.

The number of online job advertisements rose by 0.8 per cent in the month of October 2018 and 9.4 per cent over the year according to the latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Jobs Online monthly data release.

Living Green has launched New Zealand’s Most Natural range of home cleaning products that are kind to both the skin, your home and the environment. Only available at Countdown supermarkets, the range covers all areas of the household including kitchen, laundry and bathroom.

An upcoming conference at Victoria University of Wellington aims to tackle some of the big issues facing employers and employees, including gender equity, health and wellbeing, and the future of technology in the workplace. Organised biennially by the University’s Centre for Labour, Employment and Work (CLEW), the Conference on Labour, Employment and Work was established more than 30 years ago and brings together leading labour market scholars, researchers of work and workplaces, and policymakers. The theme of the 2018 conference is ‘Work and wellbeing’. Marian Baird, Professor of Gender and Employment Relations from the University of Sydney will give a…

It’s official, the international science community has voted to change the way weight, electric current, temperature and substance amounts are defined. Instead of comparing masses with a lump of metal kept in a vault in Paris, scientists will now use quantum physics and great engineering to define and realize the international mass standard. A kiwi scientist has developed an innovative desktop measurement instrument that could become widely used when the changes come into force next year in May.

Local Government New Zealand welcomes the Government’s focus on drinking water reforms, but is urging officials not to shut the door on innovation by pursuing a policy of mandatory aggregation as a silver bullet fix to challenges in the three waters space.

The Buy New Zealand Made Campaign is turning 30 and celebrating with events around the country to showcase member companies along with the iconic kiwi trademark, which has evolved to become a significant marketing tool for businesses in an increasingly competitive world.

19 Nov: 0856 | Rimini Street, a global provider of enterprise software products and services and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products, has expanded its operations in the Asia-Pacific region with the launch of its new subsidiary, Rimini Street New Zealand, and the opening of its new office in Auckland to address the growing demand for Rimini Street’s premium, ultra-responsive support services in New Zealand.

A team of researchers led by Professor Thomas Nann from Victoria University of Wellington has created a new electrolyte that could be the key to making safer and more environmentally friendly batteries.

15 Nov: 1119 | KiwiRail is planning to relocate its Palmerston North operations out of the city as part of plans to develop a regional hub to better handle freight flows throughout the lower North Island Continue to full release >>

Lego is one of the most popular brands in the world, known and loved by children and nostalgic adults alike. But few grown-ups buy Lego for themselves. The Danish company wants to change that with a new type of construction toy that is half Lego, half coloring book. Its name is Lego Forma, and it’s designed to de-stress adults and get their creative juices flowing.

When Prince Harry supped on a ceremonial cup of kava during his and Megan’s recent visit to Fiji, he prioritised politeness to his hosts over the dangers of possible side effects from the mild narcotic – including impotence.

The innovative funding that will enable the construction of up to 9,000 new homes at Wainui just north of Auckland, is an example of new models that need to be more widely used to fund critical infrastructure, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).

The challenge with financial stability is how to maintain a strong, resilient and efficient financial system in the face of changing and emerging risks said Deputy Governor and Head of Financial Stability Geoff Bascand in Sydney today.

LGNZ has released its position statement on three waters at its Quarterly Media Briefing today, calling on the Government to adopt four good public policy principles ahead of any reforms to the three waters sector.

The second meeting of the Future of Work Tripartite Forum focussed on how to remove barriers faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the issue of technological disruption, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says.

All six of the original aluminium composite panel (ACP) CodeMark certificates suspended in July, have been removed from the CodeMark register, with each certificate either being revoked by MBIE, withdrawn by the manufacturer, or reissued as a new certificate following revision.

A south Auckland scheme that defies a tidy description of its far-reaching work is breaking new ground internationally with its efforts to lift the region out of deprivation writes Alexia Russell for Newsroom.

The creation of a small business strategy will take a step forward in coming weeks as the Small Business Council sharpens its focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference to the long term development of the sector.

09 Nov: 1044 | LGNZ supports the Government’s proposal to wind back a number of Resource Management Act changes that excluded public consultation requirements, a move councils strongly opposed when they were introduced in 2017. The changes, outlined in a recent cabinet paper, would reduce the complexity of the Act, remove regulation making powers and override provisions, restore public participation provisions and financial contributions. “Local government raised a red flag around the RMA changes in 2017, knowing they would threaten the public’s ability to have a say, create problems for infrastructure providers and hinder councils’ ability to give effect to…

08 Nov: 1152 | Independent financial analysis of Fonterra since its creation in 2001 shows an "unambiguous" pattern of commercial under-performance, says Fonterra Shareholders' Council chairman Duncan Coull. The council lodged a report at today's annual general meeting of farmer-shareholders in the dairy cooperative at Lichfield, in the Waikato.

New Zealand will get its crypto-based dollars back early next year, in a move that will likely cause excitement among local cryptocurrency investors and enthusiasts, and incomprehension among the rest of the population

While the results from the review by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and the Reserve bank could have been more positive, New Zealand banks have been looking at options to improve customer experience and embrace the fintech community which is great for all Kiwis, FintechNZ general manager James Brown says.

CHIBA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Asian Entrepreneurship Award Steering Committee announced today that IMAGR Ltd. of New Zealand won first prize at the Asian Entrepreneurship Awards 2018 (“AEA 2018”), a three-day business pitch contest for Asian startups held from October 31st to November 2nd at Kashiwa-no-ha campus city in Chiba prefecture, Japan.

Along with a growing number of businesses requesting more ethical workforce solutions and evidence of loopholes in labour-hire law that allows the gross exploitation of hard-working New Zealanders, FIRST Union, the largest union representing labour-hire workers, is pleased to announce labour-hire firm Enterprise Recruitment has signed on as the first company to be an ethical employer in the labour-hire workspace.

FIRST Union and its affiliates; the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) and the Indian Workers’ Association (IWA) have released a handbook for migrant workers in New Zealand to share with their friends and families to help protect migrant workers against exploitation at its biennial conference today in Auckland.

Returning Officer Warwick Lampp, of electionz.com Ltd, has declared the final results of the 2018 elections for the Fonterra Board of Directors, Directors’ Remuneration Committee and Shareholders’ Council.

Beijing, Nov 5 (IANS): Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the opening of the world's first import-themed national-level expo here on Monday, calling it a "trail-blazing" move in the history of international trade development.

NZ and international Chief Executives gathered at the biennial Asia Pacific Energy Leaders’ Summit last week to discuss the key strategic energy issues they face as the sector grapples with change and the emerging opportunities.

02 Nov: 0825 | Recognition today that New Zealand continues to have the most business-friendly environment in the world is another real example of the strength of our underlying economic and business fundamentals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says.

Local Government New Zealand is one of seven key New Zealand organisations that have joined forces today to launch the Tiaki Promise, an initiative to encourage travellers, both domestic and international, to respect New Zealand’s environment and travel safely.

Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage and Associate Finance Minister David Clark declined consent under the Overseas Investment Act for Tegel Foods Ltd to buy approximately 252 hectares of land at Arapohue, near Dargaville to build a broiler chicken farm.

Apple has announced a new version of iPad Pro. The 2018 iPad Pro has a new full-screen design, flat edge, rounded corners, Face ID, and more. The new iPad Pro has a blocky design with rounded corners for both the display and body. The structure appears sort of like the original iPad. It features a new Liquid Retina display just like the iPhone XR.Display and Face ID The new iPad Pro includes an 11-inch display that has the same footprint as the 10.5-inch mode. iPad Pro also includes a more portable version of the 12.9-inch display with a much smaller…

31 Oct: 0730 | The Council of Trade Unions today welcomed the Government announcement that Kiwirail would retain 15 electric engines on the Northern Trunk Line between Hamilton and Palmerston North. Secretary Sam Huggard said that it was a perfect example of ‘Just Transition’ thinking, to protect good jobs and public services in a low - carbon economy."Climate campaigners and unionists have all been pushing for this forward - thinking move. We can upgrade the good electric engines we already

Consultation on legislation to implement the government’s planned ban on new offshore exploration should have been wider given its potential for “significant environmental, economic and societal impacts,” the country’s independent . Read full release . . .>

30 Oct: 1426 | The Independent Assessment Board which oversees CouncilMARK™, the local government excellence programme, has today released a report containing ratings and assessments for Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.

The founder of one of New Zealand’s biggest biotech companies, Dr Sean Simpson, is back in New Zealand this week attending key board meetings for the next wave of Kiwi success stories, BiotechNZ executive director Zahra Champion says.

30 Oct: 0744 | LGNZ has welcomed this afternoon’s announcement from Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones of $19 million in co-funding from the Provincial Growth Fund to enable extensive 3D elevation mapping of New Zealand’s regions. “Detailed elevation mapping of our regions is vital to unlocking the economic development of our regions. It will allow councils to more efficiently plan and develop housing, road and water infrastructure, as well as better prepare for hazards such as flooding, landslides and erosion,” says LGNZ Vice-President Stuart Crosby. Utilising technology known as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), the data is collected by…

30 Oct: 0735 | If you bought lunch today it’s likely you’ve eaten food they’ve delivered. One of New Zealand’s largest wholesale food delivery companies (that delivers to restaurants and cafes) has just been slapped on the wrist by the New Zealand Employment Authority.

30 Oct: 0655 | Twenty foreign companies, among over 1,000 that have submitted pre-registration, have signed contracts to attend the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) scheduled next year, according to the CIIE Bureau.

Oil and gas have a crucial long-term role and will have much less of an impact on the environment in future, according to a new report released today by the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ).

26 Oct: 0801 | Steel & Tube considered bidding for Fletcher Building's steel and reinforcing businesses earlier this year but concluded such a bid would take too long and could struggle to gain permission from the Commerce Commission . . Read more. . .>

25 Oct: 1452 | The NZ Transport Agency’s commitment to best practice engagement has been recognised on the global stage, with the Northern Corridor Improvements (NCI) project winning the IAP2 International Project of the Year at the International Core Values Awards.

Richina, the Chinese parent company of failed New Zealand construction company Mainzeal, owns assets potentially worth billions of dollars, according to information from the ongoing High Court hearing in Auckland reports Nikki Mandow for Newsroom.

24 Oct: 1055 | New Zealand’s largest drug developer and manufacturer, Douglas Pharmaceuticals supplies prescription consumer medicines as well as health and beauty products to a number of international markets. "Research and development is vital in the pharmaceutical industry.”

24 Oct: 1018 | Scammers have been hard at work over the long weekend, and while New Zealanders were out enjoying the three day break, CERT NZ received a significant spike in reports of webcam blackmail scams.

23 Oct: 1202 | New Zealand’s biggest meat processor, Silver Fern Farms has kept its side of the bargain by increasing the number of Samoan RSE workers. By the first week of November, 100 new Samoa RSE workers should be employed in the four Silver Fern Meat Processing operations in New Zealand including 40 in their new Pacific Plant. Already 135 Samoan RSE workers are on the Sliver Fern’s payroll. And the company has committed to hire total contingent of 250 Samoans to work for 10 months with them and it’s just rewards for government and the Ministry of Commerce,…

Arrow Electronics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Infineon Technologies, a German semiconductor and system solutions provider, to provide start-up businesses in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, India with innovative products and engineering support to help them accelerate the idea-to-impact innovation journey.

A new waterfront stadium has plenty of cheerleaders in Auckland, who are urging the council to just bite the bullet and get on with it - especially as it's being pushed as 'cost-neutral' to the ratepayer. But the economics of swapping a car park for a stadium on Auckland’s waterfront don't add up reports Alexia Russell on Newsroom.

Around a hundred drivers will take strike and picket action in Auckland while another hundred will strike and picket in the Waikato. Meanwhile bus drivers in Wellington will begin their indefinite strike on the same day (Tuesday, 23rd October).

19 Oct: 12:05 | At midday today, Sistema workers, together with community leaders and local and national politicians will present Sistema CEO Drew Muirhead with thousands of open letters, urging the company to improve the pay and conditions of its workers.

Daimler Financial Services, the financial and mobility services arm of German car maker Daimler, has taken an unspecified "strategic investment" in New Zealand company Soul Machines, which has produced a digital-created human face able to speak text with intonation and facial expressions.

The MoU is signed to create a global digital network in trade finance. The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group ANZ (ANZ.AX), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA), Citibank (C.N), Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) also agreed to join the digital trade information network expected to be operational by the third quarter of next year. Seven banks, including HSBC (HSBA.L) and Banco Santander (SAN.MC), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a global digital network in trade finance aiming at allowing cheaper and easier funding for corporates, a Santander manager said on Wednesday. “It is the first time that these…

A Warkworth-based company owned by multi-billionaire IT mogul Larry Ellison and part-funded by Callaghan Innovation is at the centre of a bid to take the wind out of the sails of the next America’s Cup competition in Auckland . . . Read More . . .>

It seems only fitting that the one and only William Shatner (or as most of us know him, Captain Kirk from Star Trek) officially opened Rocket Lab’s production facility in Auckland… boldly taking space technology where few have gone before.

16 Oct: 1138 | Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has opened a $165 million expansion of its bottling and warehouse facility at Richlands, making the Brisbane facility the company’s largest Australian manufacturing plant.

“Lingering debate over the form of rapid transit to Auckland Airport reveals a lack of clarity about the role for light and heavy rail and this issue must be resolved when the business case is released,” says Infrastructure NZ CEO Stephen Selwood.

Air New Zealand has unveiled an initial-concept multiplayer spatial computing gaming experience in Los Angeles today at the first L.E.A.P. conference, hosted by US-based spatial computing company Magic Leap.

Corrections staff have identified a number of issues relating to the manufacture of its rapid-build modular units for prisoner accommodation during quality assurance trips to China reported by Laura Walters for Newsroom.

Chorus has today said that it has immediately commissioned a fully independent review relating to the employment practices of small business sub-contractors working on the Ultra-fast Broadband network.

“Treasury’s consultation process on a new independent infrastructure body has come at an opportune time, with news that a major Chinese company has bid to build and operate the long awaited Penlink project highlighting the importance of an expert entity interfacing with the market and guiding procurement,” says Stephen Selwood CEO of Infrastructure NZ.

CSST and Airbus Defence and Space today announced a partnership agreement, which will give New Zealand businesses, industry, government and the research community access to an even wider selection of high resolution, weather independent, near real-time satellite data.

A new report from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows the success of benefit sanctions, explains why efforts to make life on a benefit easier simply encourage a culture of welfare dependency and fraud, and exposes that more than one third of unemployment and single parent beneficiaries admit to failing on their obligation to seek employment.

08 Oct: 07:55 | The new research and development tax incentive introduced today by the government will go a long way to helping inject even more growth into the tech sector, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says.

WorkSafe is reminding businesses to take their health and safety systems with them when they move or expand their operations before commencing operations. And to treat them as a priority during the move.

During the Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, BG Door International introduced their new company, Ecotop Ripening Australia. Together with local partners from Melbourne, they can now supply the Australian and New Zealand markets with modern ripening chamber technologies.

03 Oct: 14:47 | The Government has announced their final Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit policy, following consultation with the public and businesses. The Government has listened to some of the concerns of manufacturers and made some positive improvements to the policy.

03 Oct: 11:47 | New research and development tax incentives announced by the Government earlier this morning are an encouraging start to help lift productivity for business in New Zealand, says the EMA.

02 Oct: 14:50 | On Friday the 5th of October, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions will be hosting in Wellington the first ever New Zealand Roundtable for business, unions, environmental groups and government on a Just Transition to a net zero emissions economy.

02 Oct: 14;46 |New Zealand’s financial system remains sound and resilient, and the Reserve Bank is undergoing significant innovation to prepare for the future, according to the Bank’s Annual Report 2017-18 released today.

01 Oct: 0823 | As brand owners and trademark professionals face new opportunities and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere, the International Trademark Association (INTA) will be holding an educational conference in Sydney, Australia, from October 11 to 12, to explore timely issues that extend beyond those focused only on trademarks.

A University of Canterbury (UC) law professor warns that New Zealand’s limited enforcement of a global Anti-Bribery convention may leave us open to organised crime and corruption. UC Law Professor John Hopkins warns that if New Zealand’s limited enforcement of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Anti-Bribery convention continues, we may find ourselves targeted by organised crime and corruption. In the new Transparency International report ‘Exporting corruption’, New Zealand was identified as one of 33 exporters (totalling 52% of world exports) that have limited to no enforcement against foreign bribery. Professor Hopkins, a director of Transparency International New…

Over 100 mainly tomato hot-house gardeners and distribution workers will walk off the job for 24 hours (4am Monday 24th to 4am Tuesday 25th) over bleak pay and the company refusing to come to the table to address worker's concerns. Workers at the nine striking sites will also picket each main site; the five Auckland sites gathering at the Favona site and an individual picket at every other site outside of Auckland (Ohaupo, Reporoa, Palmerston North and Christchurch). The pickets will begin at 7am, media are invited to attend. Bargaining began in February with FIRST Union workers seeking a national…

Auckland International Airport plans to sell up to $175 million of six-year fixed-rate bonds to institutional and retail investors as it seeks to help fund its biggest ever infrastructure spending programme.

The Tax Working Group (TWG)'s "Future of Tax" interim report is 188 pages long. There have been (and there will be) many hundreds more pages written about the findings. (Newsroom has written a few.) And that's even before the full report comes out in February next year.

Gross Domestic Product statistics out today are further evidence that business commentators’ attempts to darken economic and political confidence are out of step with reality, Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff says.

The rigorous process to look at the risks around the three re-entry options being considered for the Pike River Mine has turned up no “showstoppers”, Pike River Recovery Agency Chief Executive Dave Gawn says.

Amazon dipping its toes into the insurance market in India may likely have ripples effects for New Zealand, which is seen as a test bed for large organisations looking to try something new. FintechNZ general manager James Brown says insurers in New Zealand hold over $20 billion in assets and over $15 billion in liabilities which are not insignificant amounts. “What this clearly demonstrates is that we are ripe for new emerging technologies. “This decision by Amazon is a serious move by one of the biggest global tech firms and is an indication that they are going after large markets…

A capital gains tax on the sale of investment property, businesses, shares and other assets such as farms is a step closer if the interim report of the Tax Working Group leads to firm recommendations in its final report next February

The latest threat report released by CERT NZ today shows over 700 cyber security incidents were reported from 1 April to 30 June - the largest ever volume for a single quarter – cementing CERT NZ’s role as a central coordinator in New Zealand.

Responding to misinformation around the ERA and MECAs – FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says the proposed changes of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill reverse much of what has been the erosion of workers’ rights over the last decade and that there’s nothing in the proposed changes that hasn’t been done before in New Zealand.

50 Christchurch workers who restore pallets for the distribution of many of New Zealand’s well-known products and who are striking for the third time until Sunday will be holding a picket today (13/09/2018) over dismal pay and large pay variations between company work sites.

Auckland Council’s Cecilia Tse won the risk management professional of the year award while the council’s risk team won the excellence in developing capability in risk management award at RiskNZ’s annual awards in Auckland today.

Tilt Renewables's independent directors have repeated their advice that shareholders reject a takeover offer from major shareholders Infratil and Mercury NZ, after Tilt announced it has signed a 15-year supply deal with Victoria's state government

The Green Party is welcoming the release of stage one Electricity Price Review report and will continue to push for a transition to 100% renewable energy whilst ensuring fair pricing for houses and businesses alike, Green Party Energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.

Workers at the JNL/ Juken Triboard Wood Products Mill in Kaitaia remain concerned after today’s company announcement that the mill would be undergoing a major upgrade, and around 40 jobs may be on the chopping block.

Nearly a thousand workers covered by collective agreements at Countdown’s distribution centres (in Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Auckland), will see their hourly wage go to a minimum of $25 this year in a new deal that sets a new bench mark for how companies engage labour-hire workers.

Victoria University of Wellington’s new Chair in Regulatory Practice, officially launched yesterday, is set to be New Zealand’s hub for regulatory-related research and learning, and could ensure something like the leaky building crisis never happens again.

Progress continues for Hawke’s Bay Food Innovation Hub Sapere Research Group has been appointed to carry out a feasibility study and business case for the creation of a Hawke’s Bay Food Innovation Hub.

Parliament's education and workforce select committee heeded union submissions on the first tranche of an employment law overhaul which would let the workplace relations minister add new groups to the list of vulnerable employees

Technical mining experts gather in Greymouth for the next two weeks to look at risks involved in each of the three re-entry options the Pike River Recovery Agency is investigating for the Pike River Mine.

Hamish Rutherford reporting in the Sunday Times for Stuff writes that the mood of boardrooms is currently highly pessimistic, which some take as a sign of a slowdown while others claim should be dismissed as a poll by executives of the Labour-led Government.

Steel & Tube Holdings says 71 percent of its deeply discounted 1-for-1.9 pro rata rights offer was taken up by shareholders and the stock has been halt for a shortfall bookbuild to raise another $17.8 million.

Brambles owned CHEP Pallets staff in Christchurch are striking again after FIRST Union members have voted unanimously to walk off the job at the Hornby plant today at 2pm. Striking workers have decided to march to the local shopping mall to draw attention to their struggle for equal pay with CHEP’s Auckland Wiri Plant.

On 19 July 2018 the Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-Entry, Andrew Little, signed off the Agency’s baseline Concept Plan as the basis for further detailed planning and preparatory work on required equipment and infrastructure.

As the title suggests, the prospect of a second-tier patent system in New Zealand failed to advance past first base, with the New Zealand Government halting the progress of the “Advancement Patent” following its first reading. While the prospect of New Zealand having a second-tier patent system appears all but dead and buried for now, the debate both for and against its introduction raises a valid question: Did New Zealand need a second-tier patent system?

Auckland's largest non-bank property financer has over $100m to invest and is eager to support the Government’s highly anticipated KiwiBuild programme but like others in the development sector the lending company is awaiting more detail.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare expects the cost of contesting the latest patent allegations from rival ResMed will cut annual earnings by as much as $10 million in a far-ranging dispute across multiple jurisdictions

Auckland bus drivers who work for Ritchies Murphy will be picketing again today from 3-5pm as part of strike action. The strike will include a BBQ picket - a few hours out of the day where drivers will walk off the job to have some down time socialising, something they don’t often get to do.

Robotics Plus, a New Zealand agricultural robotics and automation company, today announced it has appointed Dr Matt Glenn as the company’s chief executive officer. The move comes after a period of accelerated growth for Robotics Plus fuelled by industry demand for its innovative horticulture automation technologies.

A life-changing adult learning programme developed by Upskills and biscuit and snacks maker The Griffin’s Foods Company was a category winner at the Diversity Works Awards in Auckland on Wednesday night.

LGNZ welcomes the Government’s response today on delivering better responses to natural disasters and other emergencies, having taken the Technical Advisory Group’s (TAG) recommendations to put safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders at the heart of the emergency management system.

Auckland bus drivers who work for Ritchies Murphy will be picketing from 3-5pm today as part of strike action. The strike will include a picnic picket - a few hours out of the day where drivers will walk off the job to have a BBQ and spend time with family at St Aidens Reserve, Takanini, today Thursday 30th August at 3pm

A Beca-sponsored poll of infrastructure leaders at the recent Infrastructure New Zealand Building Nations Symposium indicates confidence is growing that New Zealand can meet its infrastructure challenges, but suggests there needs to be greater detail shared with industry and the community around plans to address Auckland’s infrastructure needs.

The latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates (MRTEs) released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) show that tourism expenditure grew in all regions for the year ended July 2018.

50 Christchurch workers who restore pallets for the distribution of many of New Zealand’s well-known products will be striking again tomorrow over low pay and large pay variations between company work sites.

‘Step Up: Developing High Potential Women into the Leaders of Tomorrow’ offers companies the opportunity to invest in the best and brightest female talent by proving them nine months of in-depth training, designed by female business leaders to create female business leaders.

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 2.1% in July 2018, compared to the same period the year before. This was the slowest pace of growth seen since May 2016 and well below the five-year average growth rate of 5.1%.

The Independent Assessment Board which oversees the local government excellence programme CouncilMARK™ has released today the reports of council assessments and ratings for Environment Canterbury and Upper Hutt City Council.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wants to win over business leaders with a new working group headed by Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon and sought to ease fears over sector-level collective agreements, saying no more than two will completed . . . . >

Christchurch Airport reports a financial year 2018 (ending 30 June 2018) which saw passenger numbers reach a record 6.87 million (up from 6.57m). Long-haul passenger numbers lead the way with growth of 17% year on year, trans-Tasman passenger numbers grew 5% and domestic passenger numbers grew 4%.

Around 10 concrete truck drivers in Auckland are striking on Monday over long hours, low pay and the exploitation of their fellow migrant workers. The workers will also picket from 9am tomorrow (Monday 26th August) outside Allied Concrete Penrose Plant, 20 Leon Leicester Ave, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060. Media are invited to attend. The action follows a strike and picket last Friday in Avondale.

50 Christchurch workers who restore pallets for the distribution of many of New Zealand’s well-known products will be striking tomorrow over minimal pay and large pay variations between company work sites.

Christchurch Airport’s position as the South Island’s gateway has gone from strength to strength following a bumper year for visitor arrivals. Official statistics reveal Christchurch Airport’s arrivals growth over the past year was more than twice that of the national growth (8.5% CH v 3.9% NZ). Chief Aeronautical and Commercial Officer, Justin Watson, says the statistics are outstanding and reveal strong growth from all the key visitor markets of Australia (+7.8%), China (+25.0%), Europe (+7.7%) and the United States (+11.8%). “The growth reinforces the collective work we have been doing with the South Island tourism industry and our airline partners…

A “game-changing” new partnership between Victoria University of Wellington’s commercialisation arm, Viclink, and New Zealand financial services company Booster will see Booster invest at least $10 million in businesses spun out of the University’s world-leading research.

Air New Zealand today announced earnings before taxation for the 2018 financial year of $540 million, an increase from the prior year result of $527 million, representing the second highest profit in the airline’s history.

New Zealand’s primary supplier of motorhomes and custom commercial vehicles, Action Manufacturing, which is part of the Tourism Holdings (THL) group of companies, has announced the acquisition of refrigerated truck body and trailer manufacturer Fairfax Industries. Spread across two manufacturing sites in Auckland and Hamilton, Action Manufacturing employs over 200 people has been named the largest vehicle manufacturer in New Zealand. The company is a primary supplier of motorhomes to the New Zealand market as well as specialist vehicles for the medical, emergency, tourism and transport sectors. Fairfax Industries is a leader in the manufacture of refrigerated truck body and…

The number of online job advertisements rose by 0.6 per cent in the month of July 2018 and 7.1 per cent over the year, according to the latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Jobs Online monthly data release.

Comvita, New Zealand’s largest producer and marketer of honey and bee-related products, is reducing its risk and positioning itself for future growth by honing in on where it can get the most bang for its buck

The Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sam Huggard said today that unions were supporting a public health system that listened to and valued the advice of clinicians, in response to the Association of Salaried Medical Specialist’s concerns about our pathology services.

The 19th annual AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards were held at the Pullman Auckland Hotel last night, with Tourism Holdings winning the Supreme Award for doing business with the United States.